The iC-NQ is a high-resolution sine-to-digital convertor with alignment functions for analogue sine/cosine sensor signals supplied, for example, from optical or magnetic position encoders.
The iC-NQ is a high-resolution sine-to-digital convertor with alignment functions for analogue sine/cosine sensor signals supplied, for example, from optical or magnetic position encoders. Adjustable settings include decimal as well as binary resolutions up to 8192 angular steps per period, which can be output as incremental A/B quadrature signal or as absolute value via the fast BiSS interface. The iC-NQ is suitable for many sensor bridges, eg magnetoresistive sensors for length or angular position sensors and for optoelectronic scanners.

Drift-free instrumentation amplifiers allow to directly connect measuring bridges to the inputs without requiring further components.

For conventional sensor signal levels the amplification can be selected in ranges between approximately 20mV and 1.5V peak-peak.

The adaptation for photocurrents can be performed via external resistors.

As a result of the fully integrated signal conditioning typical signal errors can be immediately corrected within the analogue signal path.

Matched D/A convertors, which are adjustable via the BiSS interface, are available for the calibration regarding offset, amplitude difference and phase error.

Later, the correction values, as well as all other component settings, are supplied by the external EEPROM, which was optionally reconfigured via BiSS.

The output of special test signals supports the calibration process.

The sine-to-digital conversion with guaranteed no missing codes operates with a scan frequency of 50MHz, virtually in real time, with a maximum signal transmission delay of 250ns.

Depending on the selected resolution input frequencies up to 250kHz are permitted.

An alarm message is generated if an exceeding of frequency, an invalid signal level, eg caused by wire breakage, or an EEPROM data error occurs.

The conversion appears with an adjustable resolution, which can be between 4 to 8192 angular steps for binary or between 25 to 2000 angular steps for decadic resolutions.

An output is only performed for A/B quadrature signals that can be reliably counted and processed by the subsequent system.

This is guaranteed by patented signal processing for glitch-free digital signals with hysteresis, which always keep a preselectable minimum spacing between the signal edges.

Matching the application and the environmental noise conditions, input interferences are filtered without increasing the signal transmission delay.

The incremental encoder signals are supplemented with a generated zero signal if the release is enabled at the zero input.

Position and width are selectable.

Being the first BiSS slave on the market the iC-NQ provides absolute position data with 24bit multiturn count within a few microseconds.

This is enabled by the fast bidirectional, synchronous-serial interface, BiSS, which allows up to eight axes to return triggered position data.

As an option, it is possible to configure for SSI compatibility.

With a single side +5V supply the component operates in the industrial operating temperature range of -20 to +85C.

For automotive applications a component qualification test can be performed according to the requirements.

The convertor chip is already designed for operating temperatures from -40 to +125C.